Following the launch of its swimwear line at the Miami Swim Show last weekend, Diesel has announced a significant development in its holding company. Only The Brave and Dutch fashion house Viktor & Rolf have struck a long-term partnership, in which OTB has become the majority shareholder of the avant-garde and ready-to-wear brand, founded by the artists/designers Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren.
The partnership is but the starting point of a structured and far-sighted project to develop the brand, including the management of its lines and creation of new licenses, new distribution and communication channels.
Always on the look-out for unique talents in this field, Renzo Rosso, president of OTB, said: “Ever since the beginning of their career, Viktor & Rolf have tickled my curiosity for their unbelievable out-of-the-box creativity. We studied each other for more than two years to get to this point as I only believe in true partnerships with designers, where a common ground is shared. Viktor & Rolf represents one the highest luxury brands of our group: a new, modern and innovative design, detaching itself from the fashion establishment—something I love.”
As of the winter 2009 season, a dedicated team within Staff International, the prêt-à-porter manufacturer and distributing company of OTB, will manage the exclusive worldwide license of Viktor & Rolf men’s and women’s collections for clothing, shoes and accessories. Production of the collections will be further developed, while distribution will be implemented through its showrooms based in Paris, Milan, Tokyo and New York.
“We want to develop our fashion house to its full potential. For quite a while we have been looking for a partner,” said the design duo. “We were not just looking for someone with the money and the know-how to realize our dream, but also someone with a kindred spirit and attitude. We admire Renzo Rosso's unconventional nature and the success it has brought him. We decided to join forces with him because his motto "Only The Brave" appeals to us. True creation requires courage.”
OTB holding, whose 2007 revenues surpassed 1.3 billion euros, is a modern fashion group which controls different companies, stretching from the young street label 55DSL to the iconic Diesel brand to the world of prêt-à-porter with Neuf (owner of Maison Martin Margiela), Sophia Kokosalaki and Staff International (manufacturer and distributor for Maison Martin Margiela, Sophia Kokosalaki, Diesel Denim Gallery, Dsquared and Vivienne Westwood).
The partnership is but the starting point of a structured and far-sighted project to develop the brand, including the management of its lines and creation of new licenses, new distribution and communication channels.
Always on the look-out for unique talents in this field, Renzo Rosso, president of OTB, said: “Ever since the beginning of their career, Viktor & Rolf have tickled my curiosity for their unbelievable out-of-the-box creativity. We studied each other for more than two years to get to this point as I only believe in true partnerships with designers, where a common ground is shared. Viktor & Rolf represents one the highest luxury brands of our group: a new, modern and innovative design, detaching itself from the fashion establishment—something I love.”
As of the winter 2009 season, a dedicated team within Staff International, the prêt-à-porter manufacturer and distributing company of OTB, will manage the exclusive worldwide license of Viktor & Rolf men’s and women’s collections for clothing, shoes and accessories. Production of the collections will be further developed, while distribution will be implemented through its showrooms based in Paris, Milan, Tokyo and New York.
“We want to develop our fashion house to its full potential. For quite a while we have been looking for a partner,” said the design duo. “We were not just looking for someone with the money and the know-how to realize our dream, but also someone with a kindred spirit and attitude. We admire Renzo Rosso's unconventional nature and the success it has brought him. We decided to join forces with him because his motto "Only The Brave" appeals to us. True creation requires courage.”
OTB holding, whose 2007 revenues surpassed 1.3 billion euros, is a modern fashion group which controls different companies, stretching from the young street label 55DSL to the iconic Diesel brand to the world of prêt-à-porter with Neuf (owner of Maison Martin Margiela), Sophia Kokosalaki and Staff International (manufacturer and distributor for Maison Martin Margiela, Sophia Kokosalaki, Diesel Denim Gallery, Dsquared and Vivienne Westwood).
